Low ferritin & Hypothyroidism
Has anyone sufficiently raised their iron levels through diet alone? I have heavy periods and am struggling to raise my iron levels, no sooner to they go up a little they bounce back down again.
Iron supplements tend to upset my tummy and make me feel more drained.
Any handy tips appreciated
I used a product called something like spa water, it’s like a sachet and because it’s liquid it was less upsetting on my stomach (I’d drink it with food. Also agree with the vit c post above),
Hi Ruth47,
I'm currently trying to raise my ferritin levels through mostly diet though I am taking a Spatone sachet in fruit juice every other day. I tend to take it on an empty stomach with a strong fruit juice (vitamin C) to aid absorption (I use one with ginger to mask the taste)
I've not tried any other iron supplements just the Spatone gentle iron and was aware of people having upset tummies but I took it slowly just to see how I'd react.
I do have low stomach acid but have had no digestive problems taking it with the ginger juice.
As I'm a long time vegan it will be difficult for me to achieve higher ferritin levels but I'm trying this first and will be testing myself next month to see if it has had any effect.
Also eating leafy green veg, dark chocolate and lots of pumpkin seeds. Currently looking at recipes to combine all the helpful ingredients together.
If I take too much orange juice with a meal it can cause me to urgently need the toilet! But I have found a good compromise with a smaller amount of juice that doesn't cause these digestive problems.
My periods are long gone so my issue is dietary and absorption problems.
Good luck.
Hi Hedgeree, (great name!), may I follow you please? I too am vegan with low ferritin that I have not succeeded in raising. I believe pumpkin seeds contain the acid (name forgotten, something like pectin?) that inhibits the body's ability to use iron and that we need to have vitamin C such as your orange juice with the seeds. I expect you know this already but thought I'd mention it just in case.
Thanks, I’ll look at the seeds. I don’t have too many but I find it such a minefield as I recently saw a nutritionist for 3 months and really thought I’d nailed my diet…adding fruit & veg with every meal, introducing seeds, wholewheat and reducing tannins (tea) and fast carbs to balance my hormones.I’ve just found some low dose iron tablets that have vitamin + & b12 so I’m trying these and have a GP call booked for today.
(I’m new to this site but happy for you to follow me if that helps)
I agree it is a minefield. Trying to coordinate what you eat and when.
Best wishes.
Hi thyr01d,
Thanks for pointing that out! Yes it's phytic acid. I'll have to check but I think if you sprout them it reduces the levels of it. Something else to consider.
Yes of course you can follow me☺️
I'm hoping that what I'm doing will raise my levels at least a bit. If not then I'll try another way.
It's a challenge but at least I'm trying to revamp what I am eating as I go through phases of eating well then sometimes slip.
I'm looking forward to seeing if my ferritin levels rise. Also if I find anything else that helps I'll let you know.
Take care.
I've been having rice porridge for breakfast with molasses in it and my ferritin held steady (rather than dropping). Will have blood results next week, if there's a rise I will let you know, as long as I can remember.
Have you tried Cawston's beetroot juice on an empty stomach every morning. Beetroot is known to contain iron and drinking this every morning may be an easy way to increase your iron levels?
Iron supplements tend to upset my tummy and make me feel more drained.
Which iron supplements have you been prescribed and at what dose?
I used Garden of Life raw iron from fruits and vegetables. Very gentle but effective.
Hi Ruth, low ferritin (<10) runs in our family. I suffer with it horribly, affecting my mouth, restless legs, zero energy,headaches every day. I can't tolerate iron even a paediatric dose. In the end I saw 2 different gastroenterologists at 2 different hospitals. One agreed that although I did not strictly meet the requirements for iron infusion (low Hb) he would let me try it out. I have needed one Infusion annually for the past 3 years. They knock me off my feet for about a week with constant nausea but then I benefit for about 9months. They have to exclude any other reasons for blood loss via endoscopy etc. I had no known causes for constant low ferritin except I'm on long term p.p.i. I take tranexamic acid for two days of period to reduce blood loss and to persevere ferritin. I tried eating pate twice a week, cashews and pumpkin seeds nightly and my ferritin kept dropping. Apparently trying to reduce cow's milk can help, so I'm just trying oat milk in hot drinks to reduce milk intake. (my dentist recommend this) I hope this helps x I know how you feel. My sister is in a worse state than me anaemia wise and can get no where with her g.p. it's an uphill struggle 😭
Hey, I thought I replied earlier with a picture of the new over the counter iron I’m trialing (possibly removed as I shared pictures of medications?).Anyway, I’m on day 5 and tolerating it quite well, one is by Nutrition Geeks and has iron, vit c, vit b12 & folic acid in a lovely small tablet, the other is an iron spray which actually tastes quite nice!
Half the battle for me is not giving up, it’s so easy to give in to tiredness and not enjoy getting out,
Best wishes to you and your sister, I’ll look into your tips x
Thanks for the reply, what dose of iron is in the o.t.c iron X glad it's not upsetting your system hope it works x
What causes hair loss? Is it low ferritin, the being hypothyroid itself or/and medication?
Help with low ferritin please
Hypothyroid - low serum iron and saturation, but normal Ferritin
low ferritin and complete blood count linked to hypothyroidism?
HI lovely, I have the opposite issue lol. Both can make you feel crappy. When you eat iron rich foods be sure to also take Vit C with it. The Vit C helps your body to absorb the iron in the food, just in case you didnt know. Taking iron without Vit C doesnt do much at all. Limiting your intake of pulses (like beans etc) can also help as they actually inhibit the absorbtion. <3 good luck lovely x
Thanks, I’m aware of the vitamin c and also reduced my tea intake too (due to tannins) I just feel I’ve hit a wall!.
My ferritin was 4 and it’s now 6 but it’s taking so long!
GP should refer you to haematologist
Highly likely you need iron infusion
humanbean or SeasideSusie may pop along with advice on other iron supplements
Ruth47
With a ferritin level that low I would imagine medical intervention is required, there's nothing I can suggest other than that.
Have you had an iron panel done? Is serum iron low, transferrin saturation percentage low, TIBC high? Those would point to iron deficiency. Have you had a full blood count to see if you have anaemia?
Thanks, my referral was rejected but I have a GP call tomorrow so may ask again
Think it'd be a gastroenterologist you would need referring to
This was from last week’s test
Ruth47
A low MCH (mean cell haemoglobin) value can indicate iron deficiency anemia. Iron is important for the production of haemoglobin. You have a below range haemoglobin level and extremely low ferritin level. All adds up to iron deficiency anaemia. I fail to understand why your referral was rejected. I would be inclined to kick up a stink if it was me, there are some very obvious red flags there which seem to be being ignored. I don't think this is a case of do-it-yourself.
Very interesting Tanks for this please I read Some where that is better to have less iron than more because of cancer cell someone can give more explanation ??, thanks you for feedback
I read Some where that is better to have less iron than more because of cancer cell someone can give more explanation ??
I don't know anything about that. If you make a new post to ask about this anyone who has any information will respond.
Merci
My call with the GP didn’t go as hoped but she has reluctantly agreed to send a referral back to endocrinology but said my levels don’t require anything else at present 🤷🏻♀️
Ruth47
I would be inclined to remind GP of NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary :
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
Have you had an iron panel testing serum iron, transferrin saturation percentage, TIBC along with Ferritin?